Crash leaves Hamilton residents without power

Police are searching for the people who fled the car after the crash. Photo / File

Hundreds of Hamiltonians woke up with no power today after a driver fleeing police crashed into a power pole.

Just before midnight, police attempted to pull over a driver, whose swerving car past them on Tramway Rd.

"Aside from the manner of the driving, the Nissan Primera was being driven with no headlights on which raised the officers' suspicions," Senior Sergeant Andrew O'Reilly said.

"The offending driver has lost control of his car near the intersection of Fifth Ave and collided with a power-pole on the corner with Spenser Rd, cutting power to the surrounding neighbourhood."

It was thought three people were in the car and they are now on the run, after police dogs were unable to track them from the crash scene.

"Understandably, when your woken by a loud crash and a bright flash or explosion you want to go and see what's happened for your own piece of mind and to check if anyone needs any help," Mr O'Reilly said.

"Unfortunately, sometimes in situations like last nights', this can also compromise the scent, but we would always ask people first on the scene to ensure the preservation of life. Our staff will be conducting further enquiries today to try and locate the occupants of the car."